News and Events

ARGENTINA. Developmental and Cell Biology Meeting 2018

The IVth edition of the "Taller de Biología Celular y del Desarrollo" will be held in Chascomus, Pcia de Buenos Aires, Argentina in October 2018. The goals of this meeting are to foster the scientific interaction in Argentina, promote the participation of young researchers and students, and the collaboration between groups. More information will be available soon in the webpage and social networks Website: http://tallerbcd.wixsite.com/tallerbcd Facebook TBCD: https://www.facebook.com/groups/652849584757962/ Twitter @tallerBCD: https://twitter.com/tallerBCD

Report: V Latin America Zebrafish Network Course and Symposium

LAZEN 2018

Last May, the beautiful city of Cuernavaca, Mexico, received the Latin American community of zebrafish students and researchers in the fifth edition of the Latin American Zebrafish Network (LAZEN) Course and Meeting, organized locally by Enrique Salas, Denhí Schnabel, Fernando López Casillas and Hilda Lomelí. LAZEN was born in 2010, in an initially timid initiative by four LASDB-member researchers from Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay, that quickly grew to become a thriving and adaptable forum for all regional zebrafish researchers, well beyond developmental biology. The activity started with a full-time 7-day hands-on course, where some international instructors introduced a selected group of students to the current essential experimental approaches in zebrafish research, including CRISPR-based genome editing, transgenesis, optogenetics, techniques for cell and tissue labeling, confocal microscopy and live imaging. Lectures were also interspersed among the practicals. Students came from all over Latin America, with representatives from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Venezuela and Uruguay, in addition to a participant from Egypt. Strategically positioned social activities helped to immediately generate a highly collaborative and friendly environment among students and instructors, who spent together more than 12 hours a day. The meeting was short (2 days) but intensive, with the participation of all the instructors and several other invited speakers, in a perfect balance of regional and international researchers, as well as covering an ever-growing diversity. Funding for both events was provided by ICGEB, UNU-Biolac and UNAM. During the meeting, a new network Board was elected, and the place for the VI LAZEN Course and Meeting was designated, coincident with LAZEN’s 10th anniversary in 2020: Peru. For more information, go to the LAZEN website: http://lazen.fcien.edu.uy

Pew Latin America Postdoctoral Fellowships 2019

Deadline: noon EST on Sept. 28, 2018

The Pew Latin American Fellows Program in the Biomedical Sciences provides support for young scientists from Latin America to receive postdoctoral training in the United States. The program gives these individuals an opportunity to further their scientific knowledge by promoting exchange and collaboration between investigators in the United States and Latin America resulting in advances in research in Latin America. Applications must be submitted electronically by noon EST on Sept. 28, 2018.

ACAL-PAS workshop, book

Book of the workshop Cell Biology in Latin América, organized by the Academia de Ciencias de América Latina and Pontifical Academy of Sciences. Eddy De Robertis recomends to pay attention to the last chapter. Follow the link below to download the pdf file.

International Developmental Biology Course. Quintay, January 2018

Post at The Node

Congratulation to the organizers of the 2018 edition of the Quintay Dev Biol Course !! This course is a truly career-changing experience for Latin America Developmental Biology students. The 21 students of of the Quintay 2018 Course just published a post at The Node (see link below). Every other year developmental biologist word leaders meet in a small fishing cove in Chile called Quintay to teach and share their excitement about development to students coming from all over Latin America. The course is intended primarily for Latin American student but it is also open to no-Latin American applicants, as the interaction between the students will establish links and promote a culture of international collaboration that will further contribute to the field. The course was initiated in 1999 when Roberto Mayor was working in Chile and it has continued, with only some brief interruptions, to these days. In the 2018 version of the course Nipam Patel and John Ewer enchanting us with the evolutionary approach to development, while Ray Keller and Roberto Mayor wandered us with the sophisticated embryological experiments on amphibian. Kate Whitlock showed the beauty of zebrasfish embryos and Alejandro Sanchez-Alvarado amazed us with the regenerative power of planarian. The course ended with Claudio Stern and Andrea Streit teaching chick development. This year the course was supported by EMBO, SDB and The Company of Biologist and, as in previous versions, the best student from the Quintay course was selected to attend the Embryology course in Woods Hole, USA.

This is the third in a series of international workshops on the extraembryonic-embryonic interface, bringing together researchers that address this topic through a wide array of approaches in diverse research organisms: from epigenetics to morphogenesis, and from mice and marsupials to beetles and bugs! The workshop style of the meeting allows for extensive discussion and informal interactions. In addition to short oral presentations from selected abstracts, poster presenters will also have the opportunity to provide two-minute platform introductions to their posters during a dedicated session. Active, lively participation has been a hallmark of these workshops.

Vote for a Development cover from the Quintay Course

Pick your favorite image

In January, students from across the Americas gathered in Chile to participate in the International Course on Developmental Biology, an EMBO Practical Course held at the Marine Biology Station of Quintay (CIMARQ). In the course of two weeks of intensive training (you can read a wonderful summary of the meeting from the students in this previous Node post), the students generated some beautiful images of development in different species. We’re excited to launch a competition to pick an image taken by the students to become the cover of an issue of Development, and thus immortalised in print and on screen! Just pick your favourite image at The Node poll

Call for papers: Developmental Biology in Latin America

Mechanisms of Development, the official journal of the International Society of Developmental Biologists (ISDB) is pleased to announce the preparation of Special Issues including studies from authors affiliated to regional founding societies. Submissions are encouraged from all members of the LASDB, participants of the 9th Meeting of the LASDB to be held in Medellin, Colombia, as well as any other interested authors and collaborators in Latin America. Original and Review articles are accepted. All manuscripts will undergo peer-review to determine their suitability for publication. EXTENDED DEADLINE: MARCH 31, 2018

Latin American Zebrafish Network Course and Symposium

The ICGEB-LAZEN Course and Symposium aims to promote international collaboration and free sharing of resources and experience among research groups interested in using zebrafish as a research model. It is expected that participants will gain knowledge in state-of-the-art techniques in fish husbandry, gene editing, optogenetics, gene expression analysis and advanced visualization and behavioral studies that can be applied in their home country laboratories.

SDB 2018 Annual Meeting

REPORT: Chilean Developmental Biology Network

4th Meeting RiBiD, Santiago, Chile. 5th January 2018

"The IV RiBiD-Chile (Red de Investigadores en Biología del Desarrollo) meeting was held at the School of Medicine of Universidad deChile last 5th January. Around a hundred of researchers met and attended 15 talks, including plenary lectures by Prof Roberto Mayor (UCL, UK) and Guillermo Lanuza (Instituto Leloir, Argentina). This meeting had the goal to bring together the Chilean scientific community working in developmental biology, stem cell biology, regeneration and ageing. But more important, it was the opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students to show their scientific work and get feedback from experienced scientists. We believe that during these meetings, new collaborations and opportunities will arise for our scientific community. We hope for the future to continue growing as a community and to keep organizing exciting meeting every summer.

MBL Embryology Course 2018 at Woods Hole

The course, held each summer at the Marine Biological Lab at Woods Hole, is an intensive six-week laboratory and lecture course for graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and senior researchers who seek a broad view of the modern issues of developmental biology and the experimental approaches used to address these ongoing questions. Directors: Rich Schneider (University of California San Francisco) and David Sherwood (Duke University)

REPORT: LASDB Meeting 2017

Medellin, Colombia. October 9-13, 2017

The IX LASDB2017 meeting was held in Medellín (Colombia) last October 2017. This was the first time Colombia, a megabiodiverse country at the core of the Americas, hosted the meeting. During five days a scientifically vibrant and diverse meeting was the platform to openly exchange ideas, consolidate common goals and promote collaboration among representatives from around 100 different research groups, many of them based in Latin America. The meeting for sure has served to inspire the current and following generations of Latin American Developmental Biologists. As a measure of the success we can highlight: 1) 250 attendees from all over the world, 2) the participation of 34 outstanding invited speakers, including Sir John Gurdon, Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine 2012, as well as the presentation of 42 short talks and 82 posters, 3) the convening of two parallel satellite courses with 30 students from Latin America and abroad in "current topics and emerging models in developmental biology" and in "genomics and transcriptomics in non-model species". The next LASDB meeting will be held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 2019. Looking forward to meeting you there.

Chilean Developmental Biology Network

4th Meeting RiBiD, Santiago, Chile. 5th January 2018

"Red de Investigadores en Biología del Desarrollo" (RiBiD - Chile) is composed by researchers in the field of Developmental Biology, Stem Cells, Regeneration and Aging. The goal are to foster the scientific interaction in Chile, promote the participation of young researchers and students, and the collaboration between groups. The 4th Meeting of RiBiD will be held at the Biomedical Neuroscience Institute at the Universidad de Chile in Santiago. Registration is open until December 8, 2017. More information is available in the webpage.

International Developmental Biology Course

New edition of the Quintay Dev Biol Course! The course is aimed for advanced graduate students and postdoctoral fellows who seek a broad view of the modern issues of Developmental Biology and consists of intensive laboratory work and lectures. Deadline: 31st August 2017. Travel fellowships will be available. The course is an official activity of LASDB, hosted by Universidad Andres Bello and co-organized by Universidad Andres Bello and the Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurosciences de Valparaiso, Universidad de Valparaiso. Website: http://biodesarrollo.unab.cl. Twitter: DevBioQuintay. Facebook: DevBio Course Quintay.

Registration to the Mini-Symposium (17 January 2017) is open to all Chilean and Latin American developmental biologists (deadline December 12, 2017) at http://biodesarrollo.unab.cl/mini-symposium-registration

The Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute (ARMI) is hosting the first of three symposia on Regenerative Medicine and Developmental Biology. Over two days, key researchers from Australia, Chile and Brazil will meet at Monash University to: share scientific expertise, strengthen existing academic and institutional relationships access local and international networks of excellence, and promote global mobility of the next generation of scientific leaders.

Pay your Annual Dues

LASDB Annual Membership Dues

It is our policy to keep the LASDB annual membership fees as low as possible. Nevertheless, the budget of the Society depends mostly on the timely payment of these fees. We have set up a Paypal account so you can pay with credit card. To make the payment please use the link shown below

LASDB Meeting 2017. Medellin, Colombia. October 9-13

LASDB and ICGEB Fellowships. Deadlines: June 3

Fellowships for grad students, postdocs and early career scientists sponsored by the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) and LASDB/SDB. Please see that ICGEB and LASDB/SDB fellowships are two separate application forms! Abstract submission is May 22. Check Lasdb2017 Meeting wesite

Ida Chow Awarded Viktor Hamburger Outstanding Educator Prize

Ida Chow was awarded the 2016 Viktor Hamburger Outstanding Educator Prize by the Society for Developmental Biology (SDB, USA) for her remarkable contribution to science education. As an SDB Executive Officer, Ida made for many years, cardinal contributions to the Latin American Society for Developmental Biology (LASDB), participating actively in the organization of several highly successful developmental biology courses that preceded the LASDB meetings of 2005 in Brazil, 2008 in Argentina, 2010 in Chile, and 2012 Uruguay. Congratulations Ida!!! and thanks for your continuous support to Latin American Science!!

Expanding C. elegans research: First Latin American Worm Meeting

February 22nd to 24th, 2017. Institut Pasteur, Montevideo, Uruguay.

The Objectives of the Meeting are: to integrate a Latin American Worm Community, to provide an integrated and updated view on C.elegans research, to encourage discussion and foster collaborations among our labs, to provide knowledge on cutting edge methodologies and technologies for worm research. Check meeting webpage for confirmed speakers and important deadlines. ICGEB grants are available for students/young researchers

MBL Embryology Course Marine Biological Lab at Woods Hole

The course, held each summer at the Marine Biological Lab at Woods Hole, is an intensive six-week laboratory and lecture course for graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and senior researchers who seek a broad view of the modern issues of developmental biology and the experimental approaches used to address these ongoing questions. Directors: Rich Schneider (University of California San Francisco) and David Sherwood (Duke University)

International Society for Stem Cell Research Meeting

ISSCR 2017 June 14-17, 2017. Boston, USA.

Abstract submission and registration is now open for the ISSCR 2017 annual meeting in Boston, 14-17 June. Nearly 4,000 stem cell researchers from around the world will come together to share breakthrough discoveries in stem cell science and regenerative medicine. As a researcher, you are invited to share your science at the meeting by submitting an abstract. Connect with leaders and peers in the field, and engage with the cutting-edge science and technology that is transforming human health

Latin American Zebrafish Network Course and Symposium

The course will include practical training for selected young investigators based on the potential application of the new learned skills. The International Symposium will be open to undergraduate and graduate students, professionals and investigators of all fields. The program includes lectures and round-tables to foster interaction and practical discussions on the use of zebrafish in several fields. Deadline, Abstract Submission: September 30. Applications to the Course should received by October 15th. More information and updates: Webpage: http://lazen.fcien.edu.uy/home . Webpage Symposium: http://eventos.pucrs.br/zebrafish2016/ . Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lazen2016

Argentina: Workshop Developmental and Cellular Biology

October 27-29, 2016. Chascomus, Buenos Aires, Argentina

This workshop intends to integrate cell and developmental biologists working in Argentina and beyond. One of its goals is to provide an informal and dynamic environment for discussions and presentations of students, post-docs, young and established researchers. Fellowships will be available. Deadline: September 30. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/652849584757962/

Eddy De Robertis, Doctor Honoris Causa at UdelaR, Uruguay

On September 1st Professor Eddy de Robertis was granted the Doctor Honoris Causa degree by the Universidad de la República in Montevideo, Uruguay, for his outstanding role in the development of Medical Sciences in Uruguay and his scientific contributions with worldwide impact to universal knowledge. Eddy de Robertis is Distinguished Professor and Norman F. Sprague Chair of Molecular Oncology at the Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and Investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. He devoted his professional life to investigate the molecular mechanisms of embryonic development, has been one of the main mentors of the LASDB when the Society was created in 2003, and currently he is a very active member of the External Board of our Society. Congratulations Eddy!!

Small Brains, Big Ideas: Practical Course

November 10th to 19th, 2016. Universidad de Chile, Universidad de Valparaiso

Deadline for applications: July 30th, 2016. The course will consist of lectures and hands-on laboratory exercises that will expose Latin­American students and junior Faculty to the use of invertebrates model systems in modern neuroscience and biomedical research.